375 rifle which one?

Which 375


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Jon Ray

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So my next rifle is going to be a 375 I have been reading up on these 4 in the poll. I think I want a H&H based on I only shoot factory ammo and would have lots of choices. The Ruger seems to be nice. I am also choosing based on the price I want to spend for a rifle I will seldom use.

Let me also add I shoot open sights and have no plan for optics.
 
Reliability #1

Quality #2

Accuracy #3

What you like #4

Price #5
 
Although I agree that the Winchester is probably the better gun from a quality standpoint out of the box, I chose the CZ because it "fits" me better and just feels right when I shoulder it. It's also a bigger rifle, and to my taste the additional weight tames the recoil. Bottom line - handle them all and see which one you like the best.
 
I'm a M70 guy and the new Safari Express comes out of the box ready to go with no mods needed. But I do agree with @flat8, handle them and see what feels better to you.
 
Like flat8 said Winchesters work right out of the box. If the recoil is a little more than you are comfortable with add a little lead to the stock. My one suggestion would be is that you make sure the rifle you buy is a CRF controlled round feed. All pre 64 Mod 70(s) were CRF, Winchester started offering CRF in some of their models in the 90(s). Gunbroker has some really interesting offerings at the moment. I prefer to purchase second hand rifles, if you look around you can find them with little or no use. Good luck finding one that you really like.
 
A NIB 375 H&H just went up for sale in the AH classifieds. Lovely wood! Check it out.
Good luck in your decision!
 
No question- Win 70 CRF. And don't overlook one in 416 Rem.
 
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I owned both the CZ and the Winchester the CZ was more accurate out of the box, but I preferred my Interarms/Zastava over both of them
 
I also wouldn’t overlook a Ruger RSM if your budget allows and if you can wait to find a good one. I have one in .458 Lott and love it.
 
CZ550 over the M70 by a hair.
The M70 is a very good rifle, but I prefer like the magazine capacity, weight and receiver ready for a QD mount of the CZ.
 
Open sights only being one of your specs, this suggests your hunting will be at close range. The 375 Ruger with a 20 inch barrel would fit the bill. You can purchase this rifle for half what a H&H will run you. I have one with a 23 inch barrel and love it. Ammo is more available than you would think, now that Swift as well as Hornady makes factory loads.
 
Open sights only being one of your specs, this suggests your hunting will be at close range. The 375 Ruger with a 20 inch barrel would fit the bill. You can purchase this rifle for half what a H&H will run you. I have one with a 23 inch barrel and love it. Ammo is more available than you would think, now that Swift as well as Hornady makes factory loads.

On used rifles ... Maybe, but I doubt it.
The current best new prices Im seeing are $1000 for CZ550. $1100 for M70. Im not seeing Ruger Africans much cheaper. Based on his selections I think he prefers a traditional Wood Stocked Rifle (It would still be tough to find a Ruger Alaskan .375 for $500).

That said in the big scheme of things, what's a couple of hundred? Buy the one that speaks to you.

I don't trust the Vanguard Bolt Stop. It's very weak. I own a Howa (Other than the bolt, shroud and a few other minor details the same rifle) and I would not take it on a DG Hunt without machining and installing a side mounted bolt stop like the Nosler M48 (essentially the same design).

If you want a CRF Rifle make sure you test the feeding and extraction just like a pushfeed (more contact points for things to go wrong, although theoretically more reliable if executed correctly) and use the same brand cases on the DG Hunt. Enough differences in catridge dimensions exist to turn it into a pushfeed with a different brand. It needs to hold it against the bolt face with sufficient tension.
 
So my next rifle is going to be a 375 I have been reading up on these 4 in the poll. I think I want a H&H based on I only shoot factory ammo and would have lots of choices. The Ruger seems to be nice. I am also choosing based on the price I want to spend for a rifle I will seldom use.

Let me also add I shoot open sights and have no plan for optics.

Jon
I also only shoot factory amp.
I have a Ruger 375

D3680092-CD8C-452D-9376-211E1A1C945F.jpeg


I have been shooting Hornady 270 375 Ruger
Since I might take it out for the next Elk Rifle tag I get.
I have some great sets at the range.

1D794742-5A76-4628-95AC-295405F662B2.jpeg

I was sighting it in at 200 the bottom right was the first shot after 100 yards. I moved it up and over and shot the three that are there at 200 yards.
27370775-01F3-4EBC-A448-435790339321.jpeg

Next time out I shot two shots at 300 yds with a dot at eight inches high so the shots ended up 1.5 high and 1 inch low with the 5 power scope. The cross hairs covered the dot.
You would be able to shoot easily to 300 yards with the 375 Ruger.
Tom
 
Of those, the Model 70. However, if you don't mimd the stock and your ok with used I would purchase that SAKO that's currently for sale. The SAKO is good right of of the box.

There is also an NIB M70 for sale too, but I would personally still buy the used SAKO over the NIB Winchester.
 
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Model 70, in addition to the Safari there is also an “Alaskan” version with a thinner barrel profile and overall a bit lighter. Doesn’t have the barrel band but I don’t have any issues shooting mine with the stud in the fore end. In my opinion, the open sights on the Alaskan need upgraded to a larger bead but that’s a simple fix. My M70 Alaskan 375 doesn’t seem too picky with handloads and shoots the only factory load I’ve ever tried, the Federal Woodleigh Hydros, into small groups.

I know you didn’t ask about a different caliber, but if you are going to use the rifle for dangerous game with open sights, you could go with a .416 Rem. Still have a good assortment of factory ammo vs the other .416’s out there and a bit more frontal area thump compared to the .375.
 
out of those 4 I would go with the 70, if you are considering the Ruger I would go with a used Alaskan model or the guide gun. I have an Alaskan and absolutely love it, Its light, very handy and accurate. Do not be discouraged by the lack of factory loading for the 375 Ruger, you can always contact a custom ammo manufacture to load for you. I use the Hendershots Extreme in mine loaded with 300 grain Northfork SS bonded and it is a stone cold killing machine.
 
Do not be discouraged by the lack of factory loading for the 375 Ruger, you can always contact a custom ammo manufacture to load for you. I use the Hendershots Extreme in mine loaded with 300 grain Northfork SS bonded and it is a stone cold killing machine.
The 375 Ruger is an excellent round for all manner of game, but I do have one issue with what you stated.
Ammo availability is never a problem here...at home and in the US.
The issue is when your rifle shows up and your ammo does not, whether it be Africa, NZ or AUS.
Now do your think that you would be more likely find 375 Ruger or 375 H&H in a hunting camp?
I would put money on a cartridge that's been around for more than 100 years over one that's been around for 11.
 
The 375 Ruger is an excellent round for all manner of game, but I do have one issue with what you stated.
Ammo availability is never a problem here...at home and in the US.
The issue is when your rifle shows up and your ammo does not, whether it be Africa, NZ or AUS.
Now do your think that you would be more likely find 375 Ruger or 375 H&H in a hunting camp?
I would put money on a cartridge that's been around for more than 100 years over one that's been around for 11.

Might as well also leave behind your 450/400, 404 Jeff, 505 Gibbs, probably your 416 Rigby, etc. I personally don’t loose much sleep over loosing ammo- if J.A. Hunter could get his rifle and gear into the bush then so can I.

For anyone passing through Johannesburg, Safari and Outdoor sells three varieties of 375 Ruger ammo, amongst others.
 
Jon Ray, you've got your choice of either a Winchester or a CZ 550 on AH right now. Which one are you going to get?
 
Jon Ray, you've got your choice of either a Winchester or a CZ 550 on AH right now. Which one are you going to get?

I don’t know but I will still say that a 375 Ruger is the best choice!
The oldest option isn’t always the best choice!
I love my Ruger and I built it to get that Cape Buffalo. I will always take it out at any distance any animal. I have shot it at 300 yards with a 5 power scope where I get a 2.5 inch group. If I had a 14 power scope I would be getting a one inch group:)
The gun to pick!
 

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